Hi... so I'm on CD9, my cycles are around 26 days and this is my third month trying for #1. So our cycle sounds similar. First off, 27 days is considered within the normal range. We shouldn't have anything to worry about on that. You may want to know when your Luteal phase starts. You can have problems if that is too short. That is the time from ovulation to AF. You want at least 10, preferably 12 or more days.

I started off temping with a regular thermometer and they work fine but I will say that I'm happy with the Basal thermometer that I bought. It has an alarm on it that won't wake my husband up and it lights up in the dark as well as saves the information so that I can look at it later which is nice for days that I want to sleep in after temping.

I also have the Pregmate OPKs. I like them, seem to work really well for me. They are a little thicker than some which makes reading them a little easier. I start testing on CD10 and normally only have to test for about 3 or 4 days before getting my positive. I test once a day around 11 or noon. I'm trying to focus a little more on CM (cervical mucus) and taking notice of the changes there but that is a little harder for me to determine.

You may also want to sign up with Fertility Friend if you haven't already. It's a great way to track plus they will send you emails with a lot of helpful information.

On the OPK, my peak normally lasts awhile which is why I only check once a day. I've never missed it. Some people's peak can be very quick and you may miss it if you don't test twice a day. You will figure it out the more you test.

The same went with the thermometers. My temp change is pretty noticeable with a normal thermometer but for some people the temp change might be very slight. I don't think you have to have a basal thermometer but like I said, I do like mine. It does read out to .00 degrees instead of .0.

After positive OPK (ovulation predictor kit) you should ovulate within 12 to 36 hours and your temp will go up the day after ovulation. Also CM (cervical mucus) will be watery to an egg white consistency at ovulation.

Hi... so I'm on CD9, my cycles are around 26 days and this is my third mo...

Posted
11/02/2018

Hi... so I'm on CD9, my cycles are around 26 days and this is my third month trying for #1. So our cycle sounds similar. First off, 27 days is considered within the normal range. We shouldn't have anything to worry about on that. You may want to know when your Luteal phase starts. You can have problems if that is too short. That is the time from ovulation to AF. You want at least 10, preferably 12 or more days.

I started off temping with a regular thermometer and they work fine but I will say that I'm happy with the Basal thermometer that I bought. It has an alarm on it that won't wake my husband up and it lights up in the dark as well as saves the information so that I can look at it later which is nice for days that I want to sleep in after temping.

I also have the Pregmate OPKs. I like them, seem to work really well for me. They are a little thicker than some which makes reading them a little easier. I start testing on CD10 and normally only have to test for about 3 or 4 days before getting my positive. I test once a day around 11 or noon. I'm trying to focus a little more on CM and taking notice of the changes there but that is a little harder for me to determine.

HTH.. Good luck!

This helps a lot, thank you.

Keep me posted on what happens for you? I'll do the same.

How exactly can I tell when my luteal phase starts? Just in case I forget to get the OPK (ovulation predictor kit) tests or they don't come in time.

Is there any specific thing I should do or watch out for when using the OPK?

This helps a lot, thank you.
Keep me posted on what happens for you? I'l...

Posted
11/02/2018

This helps a lot, thank you.

Keep me posted on what happens for you? I'll do the same.

How exactly can I tell when my luteal phase starts? Just in case I forget to get the OPK tests or they don't come in time.

Is there any specific thing I should do or watch out for when using the OPK?
Sorry I'm trying to figure all this out before I mess it up.

The only way to know for sure when ovulation happens is by temping. Your temp will go up the day after ovulation and will typically stay higher until AF (Aunt Flo - menstruation/period) comes. That's because the hormone Progesterone causes your temperature to go up. If you get pregnant your temp should stay higher. For me, my low is normally around 97.1 - 97.3 my high is 97.8 - 98.0. If you don't sleep well or get up before taking your temp then it will be higher so make sure to take it before moving too much. After a good 3-4 hours of sleep is best. I kept waking up the other night so my temp that morning was 97.8 but I know that was an abnormal reading for me. It went back down to 97.0 this morning. It may take a couple of months until you get the hang of what your cycle is doing. Until then plan on trying to BD (baby dance (sex)) every other day if you can. That would cover your bases while you get more familiar with your cycle.

OPKs can be a little hard to read at first. My first month of using them I tested every day just to get comfortable with them. At first there will be a lot of "is that positive or not". Once you get used to them it is pretty clear when they are positive. Just remember that the test line needs to be as dark or darker than the control line.

Oh okay. Would you recommend a BBT one? I was told mine might not be as acc...

Posted
11/02/2018

Oh okay. Would you recommend a BBT one? I was told mine might not be as accurate, but I would still be able to see a trend at least.

I didn't know CM changes throughout the day. I'll start checking in the morning & at night.

Does O

You can check you CM (cervical mucus) (if you have some) every time you go to the RR

O (ovulation) IS different for everyone but they say it happens between CD (cycle day) 12 & 14

Last month was my first month temping and using OPKs. I started the OPK (ovulation predictor kit) the day after AF (Aunt Flo - menstruation/period) (once a day) when they got darker I used them twice a day. I had my first positive on cd12 and O'd (ovulated) on CD (cycle day) 14.

I also use fertility friend and like it.

Here's the BBT (basal body temperature) I use (it has a backlight and beeps)

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